Failure of transesophageal echocardiography to visualize a large mitral prosthesis vegetation detected solely by transthoracic echocardiography

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1995 Nov-Dec;8(6):944-6. doi: 10.1016/s0894-7317(05)80023-9.

Abstract

Transesophageal echocardiography yields a highly accurate diagnosis in the detection of valvular vegetations. We describe a case in which omniplane transesophageal echocardiography failed to demonstrate a large vegetation protruding from a Starr-Edwards mitral prosthesis, toward the left ventricular outflow tract. The vegetation could be detected solely by transthoracic echocardiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Echocardiography
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / complications*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitral Valve
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / etiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / complications*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnostic imaging